Secondary containment structures for hazardous materials

Abstract

A secondary containment structure for the safe storage of hazardous materials held in primary containers, such as drums, cans and bottles. In large sizes, the containment structure is adapted to function as a pallet or as the floor of a building or shelter for primary containers. The structure includes a core formed of an end-grain balsa wood base and a rectangular frame placed thereover formed of the same or similar material to define the bed and the side walls of a sump. The inner edges at the upper end of the frame are indented to create a ledge to accommodate a fiberglass grating. The containers to be stored are seated on the grating, whereby leakage or spillage from the containers are collected in and confined to the sump. Laminated to the exposed surfaces of the core is a layer of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic material, whereby the resultant laminate, though light in weight, is of exceptional strength. In a smaller size, the containment structure functions as a shelf on which small containers may be seated, the structure having mounting flanges integral therewith so that the shelf may be supported on wall brackets.

I claim: 
     
       1. A light-weight, high strength secondary containment structure for the safe storage of hazardous materials held in primary containers such as drums, cans and bottles, the structure comprising: (a) a core formed by a rectangular base having a rectangular frame placed thereon to define a sump, the core being fabricated mainly of end-grain balso wood;   (b) a layer of fiberglass-reinforced plastic material enveloping the core and laminated thereto to form a unitary structural laminate of high strength; and   (c) a removable spill grating resting on the enveloped frame of the core to accommodate said container, whereby spill and leakage from containers placed on the grating are collected in said sump, the inner edge of the frame at its upper end being indented to form a ledge surrounding the sump to receive the grating.   
     
     
       2. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said layer is coated with a corrosion-resistant gel coat. 
     
     
       3. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said structure constitutes the floor of a building for storing said container, said building including sidewalls mounted on the floor and bolted to the frame of the core. 
     
     
       4. A structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein said sidewalls are formed by a balso wood core to which are laminated facing skins formed of fiberglass-reinforced plastic material. 
     
     
       5. A structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said building includes a front wall formed of the same material as said sidewalls and provided with hinged doors to provide a building entry. 
     
     
       6. A structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sidewalls have at least one secondary containment shelf mounted thereon. 
     
     
       7. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said structure is dimensioned to form a portable pallet.